An atypical runaway truck ramp is raising questions about its effectiveness after a semi truck drove right past it before crashing late last month.
The accident happened on Thursday morning, August 27th in El Paso, Texas on Transmountain Road.
The semi truck was caught on another rig’s dash cam appearing to lose control heading downhill on Transmountain road. The rig can be seen driving right past the new truck ramp. The semi truck eventually overturned, and two people were taken to a hospital with injuries.
Back in July, TxDOT completed a mechanical runaway truck ramp along the roadway. Due to limited space in the area, the ramp was installed in the median of the roadway, meaning that truck drivers must use the left lane to access it. In the wake of the recent truck crash, the efficacy of the newly installed ramp is being called into question, and people are calling for better markings and signage alerting truckers of its existence.
“The new ramp is hardly labeled. One small white sign, no reflecting strips or lights. He drove right past it in the video. For this type of ramp being the first of its kind, you would think Txdot would have made it more visible and better marked for truckers. This could have been prevented,” one person wrote on an ABC 7 clip regarding the crash.
“It’s not marked very well in all fairness. Make a bright red lane and put some marking up,” wrote another.
“I don’t think the drivers are expecting it to be to the left side or down the middle,” added a third, reported KFox.
TxDOT has issued the following statement about the incident and new runaway ramp.
“Although the mechanical runaway truck ramp on Transmountain Road is fully operational and available for use, the overall project is not yet complete. Two portable message signs are currently in place, while permanent distance signs are installed, advising drivers of the upcoming runaway truck ramp and that the ramp is located on the left side of the roadway. Existing signage includes notifications for low gear use, the upcoming left-side ramp, and the end of the freeway. We are further evaluating future potential enhancements with TxDOT Traffic Division.
According to TxDOT guidance, the department generally does not have the authority to prohibit the use of a state highway by a class of vehicles that are operating within applicable legal size and weight limits.
TxDOT’s focus is on roadway infrastructure improvements, traffic operations, and safety enhancements designed to reduce conflicts and improve travel conditions for all motorists. While local governments may request traffic restrictions or operational changes, restrictions on state highways require review and approval through the appropriate transportation authorities.”
